Residency by Investment in Spain
- Live, work and study in Spain
- Route to citizenship
- Visa-free travel in the Schengen Area
Minimum Investment Amount
€500,000
Processing Time
20-60 days
Key Residency Benefit
Route to Spanish citizenship
Why is Spain a popular investment location?
Located in southwestern Europe, Spain is the second largest country by area in the European Union (EU).
Home to 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Spain is known as the land of diversity and legacy. The country boasts a rich culture, history and cuisine, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the European continent.
Spain is well known for its easy-going culture and high quality of life. It is also home to stunning scenery and beautiful Mediterranean Beaches.
About the Spain Residency by Investment programme
Launched in 2013 by the Spanish government, the Spanish Golden Visa is one of Europe’s most highly prized Residency by Investment (RBI) schemes.
Also known as the Spanish investor visa, it was introduced to help boost the Spanish economy through foreign investment. The programme allows non-EU citizens to acquire a Spanish residence permit in exchange for a significant capital investment.
While this is not a citizenship by investment (CBI) programme, it does offer a route to Spanish citizenship after spending 10 years as a resident of Spain.
The Spanish Golden Visa offers a swift processing time for applicants. Investors and their dependants obtain their Spanish residency status in just 20-60 days.
What are the Benefits of the Spanish Golden Visa?
Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area
No minimum stay requirements
A straightforward and fast application process
Grants a path to Spanish citizenship
Access to one of the world's best healthcare systems
Residency for the investor and their family
How to obtain the Spanish Golden Visa
Real estate investment
Make a minimum investment of €500,000 in a residential or commercial property in Spain.
To qualify for the Spanish Golden Visa, the applicant can invest in one or several properties, provided the total value satisfies the minimum investment amount of €500,000.
For this investment option, other fees apply, such as a property transfer tax and additional costs.
Spanish public debt and bonds
Make a minimum investment of €2,000,000 in public debt securities or government bonds.
Stocks, shares, funds and bank deposits
Invest a minimum of €1,000,000 in a Spanish financial institution. This can include various types of funds, term deposits in a Spanish bank or a Spanish company.
Key Benefit of the Spanish Golden Visa
Golden Visa holders who decide to take up permanent residence in Spain can apply for Spanish Citizenship through Naturalisation.
Non-EU citizens can apply to become Spanish citizens after living in the country for 10 years. Applicants from Latin American countries considered former Spanish colonies, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or persons of Sephardic origin can apply after only two years.
Once the investor receives their Spanish citizenship, their children who are under the age of 18 are also granted citizenship. Children over 18 can apply for citizenship by residency, provided the requirements are met.
As EU citizens, there are multiple benefits, such as the ability to live, work and study anywhere in the EU. Spanish passport holders benefit from visa-free access to over 180 countries.
Frequently asked questions
To be eligible for the Spanish Golden Visa, the main applicant must:
- Be a non-EU citizen
- Be over 18 years of age
- Have no criminal record
- Make a qualifying investment
- Have sufficient financial means to live in Spain and support your family members
The Spanish Golden Visa grants legal residence in the country, not citizenship. However, applicants can apply for Spanish citizenship and a passport after 10 years of residency.
Investors can return their initial investment once they have obtained permanent residence in Spain. Permanent residency is granted after living in the country for more than five years.
Physical presence in Spain is required to submit biometrics data and collect Spanish residency permits. After this stage, applicants do not need to live in Spain or visit periodically.
Which programme is right for you?
| Citizenship or Residency Programme? | Citizenship or Residency Programme?Residency | ||
| Minimum Investment Amount | Minimum Investment Amount€500,000 | ||
| Minimum Stay Requirement | Minimum Stay Requirement N/A | ||
| Initial Permit Duration | Initial Permit Duration3 years | ||
| Time to Residence | Time to Residence2 months | ||
| Time to Citizenship | Time to Citizenship10 years | ||
| Family Inclusion? | Family Inclusion?Spouse, children under 18, parents over 65 | ||
| Right to Work? | Right to Work?Yes | ||
| Type of Document Received | Type of Document Received?Residency permit, leading to passport | ||
| No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport? | No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport?190 | ||